The 2017 PM Industry Roadmap (Courtesy MPIF)
The Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), New Jersey, USA, has released an updated version of its PM Industry Roadmap. Compiled with the aid of Powder Metallurgy industry leaders, the 2017 edition addresses the current vision for the PM industry and includes a view of future customer and market expectations, as well as a number of goals designed to meet these expectations.
The 2017 PM Industry Roadmap marks the third time it has been updated since its creation in 2001. Since the last edition, published in 2012, the MPIF states that the PM industry has made significant progress in the processing of lean ferrous alloys, aluminium, titanium, magnesium, and metal matrix composites. Component densities continue to rise with improvements in powders, lubricants, tooling, warm compaction, high-tonnage compaction presses and sintering technology.
The most visible advance since the 2012 update is said to be the rapid emergence of metal Additive Manufacturing, however the MPIF also states that Metal Injection Moulding has also grown significantly having advanced in material options, process control and standardisation. Material and process developments have enabled new PM applications, such as variable valve timing sprockets, electronic power steering pulleys, turbocharger vanes and jet engine fuel nozzles.
The 2017 PM Industry Roadmap is a free resource which can be accessed via the MPIF’s website.
